"Congratulations," I say, because that seems to be the done thing to acknowledge a recent marriage. Not that I know much about marriage customs here, which is just another thing that leaves me stranded in space and time. Saying as much breaks the rule my new friend has set for me and I'm glad when he asks about tattoos.

"Sometimes I think about getting my faction's motto tattooed on me. Even though the people didn't always live up to it, but the manifesto still means a lot to me." Before he can say I've broken the rule, I put on a thin smile, "We believe in ordinary acts of bravery, in the courage that drives one person to stand up for another."

I still want to live up to those words. Not for an instructor's approval or to pass as normal in my city, but because I think those ideals still have meaning.